David Does a Make Up Meeting

David attended a meeting of the Pittsburgh East Rotary Club on Tuesday November 6th at the Pittsburgh Centre for the Arts. He is seen here exchanging club banners with a member of the Pittsburgh East Club.

A "make up" meeting is defined as attendance at any Rotary organized meeting within two week previous or two weeks prior to the missed meeting. Make-ups may consist of:

• attending other Rotary Club's meeting;
  
• attending an Area or District meeting or conference;
  
• attending a Club Board meeting;
  
• attending a Club Committee meeting; and
  
• attending a Club fundraising event or activity.
  

Make up meetings are an excellent way to share ideas with other Rotary clubs and reinforces the international nature of Rotary. Check the Official Directory or use the Club Locator on the Rotary International website to get meeting and contact information. Be sure to call or e-mail before you show up for a meeting.

The William Tell Bingo - November 18

The William Tell Bingo on Sunday , November 18, 2007
Shifts start at 5:00 pm.

You won’t want to miss this one, after all William Tell didn’t miss. Please contact your sergeant at arms who is as straight as an arrow, if you are available at west@cyg.net

William Tell shoots arrow at apple on his son’s head Bürglen was known as an expert marksman with the crossbow. At the time, the Habsburg emperors were seeking to dominate Uri. Hermann Gessler, the newly appointed Austrian Vogt of Altdorf raised a pole in the village's central square with his hat on top and demanded that all the local townsfolk bow before it. As Tell passed by without bowing, he was arrested. He received the punishment of being forced to shoot an apple off the head of his son, Walter, or else both would be executed.

Tell had been promised freedom if he shot the apple. On November 18, 1307, Tell split the fruit with a single bolt from his crossbow, without mishap. When Gessler queried him about the purpose of the second bolt in his quiver, Tell answered that if he had ended up killing his son in that trial, he would have turned the crossbow on Gessler himself. Gessler became enraged at that comment, and had Tell bound and brought to his ship to be taken to his castle at Küssnacht. In a storm on Lake Lucerne, Tell managed to escape. On land, he went to Küssnacht, and when Gessler arrived, Tell shot him with the crossbow.

This defiance of the Austrian, Gessler, sparked a rebellion, leading to the formation of the Swiss Confederation.

Theatre Brunch 2007

Pictures from the Theatre Brunch Fundraiser held on Sunday October 14th, 2007 at the Fleck Marque, Festival Theatre, Stratford, Ontario.

		Club President Etienne welcomes the guests.
		The brunch was catered by the Queen's Inn, Stratford.
		Rotary Exchange Student Kate Parkin was the Guest Speaker
	Peter Moreton wore his best shoes.

Meet Kate's Parents

The Rotary Club of Festival City Stratford was honoured to host David and Sue Parkin, parents of our Rotary Exchange Student Kate Parkin, at their October 2nd meeting.


Her parents were surprised to find Kate in one piece, not frozen solid and with little psychological scarring. Mr. Parkin thanked the Club for taking such good care of Kate during her visit and for not having abandoned her on an ice flow. Club members explained to Kate's parents that they were, in fact, trying to introduce Kate to the national sport of ice curling. The unfortunate event of Kate licking an aluminum pole in January was not mentioned.

Club Mascot MIA!

At the last meeting of the Festival City Rotary Club, it was discovered that our beloved mascot, Mr. Rab-bit, was missing in action (MIA). He was an active and dearly beloved member of the Club. His very appearance would strike fear into the hearts of Noon Club members.

While we would normally consider the involvement of the "other" Club in his disappearance, this proved not to be the case. After an exhaustive investigation, it appears that the Inn's staff found Mr. Rab-bit, and not knowing what or who he was, sent him off to the big rabbit field in the sky (or the landfill). They offered us a fuzzy plush pink pig, but somehow, its just not the same.

Mr. Rab-bit will return! He is undoubtedly digging his way out of the landfill as we speak.

Theatre Brunch Silent Auction

Rotary Club of Festival City Stratford
Theatre Brunch & Oklahoma
Sunday, October 14, 2007
11:00am at the Festival Theatre

This year our Theatre Brunch will not only feature fine food by the Queens Hotel and an entertaining programme with sheep, but a Silent Auction.

Some of the items generously donated by fellow Rotarians, their spouses and community businesses are:

• fine blankets
  
• luggage
  
• clothing
  
• sports equipment
  
• round of golf
  
• facial care products
  
• numerous and varied gift certificates
  
• auto products
  
• books
  

The monies raised will allow Rotary to continue its work with youth locally and internationally. So bring your cheque books for this great cause.

Membership Drive

David asks Franklin the Turtle to join the Festival City Rotary Club.

Who have you asked lately?

Brunch only tickets available

Rotary Brunch at the Fleck

Our tickets to the play Oklahoma are closed; however we still have room at the Fleck for brunch guests. For $30.00 you can experience a wonderful brunch catered by the Queens Inn. Enjoy good company and learn about Rotary's latest ventures. There are many items up for the silent auction. Doors are open at 11:00 am with brunch served at 11:30 am on Sunday October 14.

For ticket information contact Jack West at 519-273-1005 or Carolyn Bart-Riedstra at 519-271-6761.

El Salvador- Rotary Club of Cuidad Merliot Ovens Project

Our Partner Club in El Salvador has sent us some photos of their improved ovens project. They have built 142 of these are are this weekend training the parents of the Family we have supported in the building of these ovens.

Each oven is designed to fully utilize spcial stones that help keep the heat hence using less wood and protecting the environment. The Chamber under the iron is filled with these stones and only part is used for firewood. Each stove is built so as not to burn any one near them and has piping to take any smoke to the out of doors. This keeps this stove similar to the traditional one and more culturally acceptable and low cost.

The Old Way of Cooking

The New Way of Cooking

Rotary of Cuidad Merliot Members

Soya Project News from Colombia

The Rotary Club of Duitama Boyaca Colombia has advised us they have now received the matching funds from The Rotary Foundation for the Soya Equipment Project for four communities.

The Rotary Club of Duitama Colombia has contracted a consultant to help them in learning how to multiply small businesses; they have had some TV coverage of the project; they are active in the communities orienting the people; the four communities are cleaning the 4 processing plant locations, and they have ordered the equipment and this equipment firm is preparing the training in equipment use.

The Duitama Boyaca Club will work with another Rotary club in Bogota Colombia where the educating and monitoring nutritionists are members and are in the stage of timetabling their involvement.

The club President Francisco Berrio Zafra and The Executive Director of the Club Foundation state in their letter to you:

"We would like to express through The Rotary Club of Festival City (Stratford) our most sincere appreciation for all your help in order to make a reality this very breathtaking program benefiting the people with nutritional deficiency in our region.

The development of this project has given us the opportunity to establish a permanent communication with you, that we value as an opening from our club to people of a generous heart and commitment to the world community.

We will remember with gratitude this opportunity that you have given to our Rotary Club and we will be in permanent contact with you in order that you will be informed about the unfolding of the project.

Please receive on behalf of those benefiting from this project a committed, Cordial and Rotarian embrace. Thank you for making this nutritional supplement possible for over 300 people in each community and the development of four ongoing soy processing plants, one in each community."

As well, by doing it this way, each donor club Stratford Rotary Club, Goderich Rotary Club and Duitama Rotary Club will be credited with Paul Harris credits for their contribution.